Smart Outlets

[OutagesIO_Support]

Can you try it again? I think it might be ok now.

[jwladd]

@OutagesIO_Support Add to cart button is now present for ordering 6-outlet power strip. On checkout it asks for username and password for returning customer. I purchased a hardware agent back in Sept, so I am a returning customer. My username and password for logging into support does not work at checkout. I don't seem to have recorded a different username/password at the time of my Sept purchase.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Yes, that's odd. That would take longer to figure out.

I think you can purchase as a guest? If that's an option, you could use that.

I'll have to have someone check on that part this week.

[jwladd]

@OutagesIO_Support success purchasing as guest! In the process I was told that my email address had been used previously, so part of your record keeping remembered me. This may have been when I tried to create a new account - I didn't keep a screen shot of this - sorry.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Good to hear. Glad you were able to get it done.

Having an account isn't really important. It can be convenient if someone if regularly buying things but outside of that, guess works fine.

[jwladd]

@OutagesIO_Support I received today my new smart power strip and installed it on my local WiFi network where it is controlled by a software agent working at the community level. I successfully used it to power cycle my router. Ultimately I will install it at a remote facility where I have a hardware agent working at the extended level. I will want to be able to power cycle the cable modem and/or the router.

It occurs to me that if I remotely make a mistake and turn the power off to my modem or router, I will have to drive 100 miles to turn them back on. You might consider configuring your action button that turns an outlet off to be a 2-step procedure that asks the user if they really want to continue with the option chosen. Just a thought.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Hi,

Yes, that's the catch of using anything remotely controlled right :).
The thing is, if we pop up a warning to each function, that will also frustrate users. We have to trust they know what they are doing since they are in control.

It's a good point though and I'll bring it up with the dev.

What you see now (the power cycle) was a quick way to accomplish something we were mulling over but were not ready to offer as a function.

As you might notice, we also have to get the 'About this page' help sections done too.

How did you find the activation process, smooth or anything that could be improved?

[jwladd]

@OutagesIO_Support regarding possible pop up warning: only add it to "off" function. In general, however, I see your point re frustrating users.

regarding activation process: I encountered a bit of confusion caused by myself, so my experience is of no help to you. In the midst of the activation process I unintentionally hit the physical off switch on the side of the power strip. I hadn't noticed that this switch was there. I would be glad to work with you to test it further. Can I deactivate the power strip and then reactivate it?

Your agents and power strips are awesome and are priced such that I was not hesitant to give them a try.

My remote location is in Southampton, New York, where Optimum is the only cable company. My experience has been that from time to time my connection to the internet becomes unstable. I don't know why this happens, but the remedy is usually to reboot the cable modem and/or the router. I couldn't do this remotely until I discovered OutagesIO.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Thank you for that feedback. It's nice to know that the activation process is easy. We really worked hard on trying to make that as simple as possible.

Have you moved the plug to it's final destination? How is it working out?

[OutagesIO_Support]

Hi, just checking in to see how it's going.
Is it working as expected?

We love feedback, it helps us to know how things are going :).